Incidence and predictors of mental health hospitalizations in a cohort of young U.S. Navy women

Abstract

Purpose: This prospective cohort study analyzed hospitalization data over a 7-year period for 5,503 female Navy recruits first assessed in 1996-1997. Methods: Participants' age, education, race/ethnicity, occupation, and traditionality of military occupation were analyzed as predictors of hospitalization for mental health diagnoses occurring 7-8 years after entry into the Navy. Results: 5.2% of women was hospitalized at least once for a mental health disorder over the 7-8 year follow-up period. Thirteen percent of all hospitalizations for the cohort were for mental health reasons. Adjustment reaction/acute stress reaction and personality disorders were the 2 most frequent mental disorders. Asian/Pacific Islanders with more than a high school education and those in the younger age ranges were significantly less likely than others to be hospitalized for a mental disorder. Conclusions: Results underscore that mental health issues among young military women during peacetime are not a trivial source of morbidity. © Association of Military Surgeons of the U.S.